Francois Hollande has sent his condolences to families of the victims of the avalanche in Isere. Credit: PA

President Francois Hollande has sent his condolences to families of the victims of an avalanche in the French Alps that hit a school party.

In a statement Hollande said the French education minister is on his way to Lyon "support the school community and the families".

Two teenagers, a 14-year-old boy and another 16-year-old from the Saint Exupery school in Lyon, were killed when the avalanche hit their group and the teacher. Another skier, from Ukraine, that was separate to the group was also killed.

The teacher and four others have been described as seriously injured in the avalanche that happened on a closed ski run on the Bellecombe Deux-Alpes trail .

Several groups of skiers dislodged a large snow slab, local councillor Gilles Strappazzon told BFM but it is unclear why the group had ventured onto the ski trail.